Obama moves to require background checks for more gun sales

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama is moving ahead on plans to require background checks for guns purchased from dealers even if they're bought online or at gun shows.

The White House is coming out with a series of long-awaited executive steps aimed at curbing gun violence despite opposition in Congress to new gun laws.

The Justice Department's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is issuing updated guidance that says the government can consider someone a gun dealer regardless of where the guns are sold. The guidance aims to narrow the gun show loophole. Only federally licensed gun dealers must now conduct background checks on buyers.

The White House says the FBI will hire 230 more examiners to process background checks. It's an attempt to speed up the process so buyers don't fall through the cracks.

But the White House and others can't say how many transactions will be blocked or how much bloodshed will be prevented.

Gun control advocates are welcoming the changes. But they say the effect may be modest.

The owner of a gun-sale website says Obama's action is "well-meaning, but ultimately ineffective."